Demolition system



July 19, 1955 E. M. BROWN ET AL DEMOLITION SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 26, 1945 0.17.1101? SR. Qilf'ord y 9, 1955 E. M. BROWN E L DEMOLITION SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 26, 1945 SWUQ/WTMA/ EM Brown 65 1?. Lee ,5. R. Qilford rates atent 2,?13308 Patented July 19, 1955 nice DEMOLITION SYSTEM Ellis M. Brown, Charles B. Lee, and Saul R. Gilford, United States Navy, Washington, D. C.

Original application March 26, 1945, Serial No. 584,993. Divided and this application June 28, 1954, Serial No. 441,688

3 Claims. (Cl. 10270.2)

(Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), see. 266) This invention relates generally to a demolition system in which a vessel having a main explosive charge and a plurality of auxiliary or scuttling charges is self-propelled under control of the operator of a radio transmitter remotely situated with respect to the vessel to a point at which it may be desired to: fire the scuttling charges thereby to sink the vessel and, thereafter, within a predetermined period of time, to fire the main charge for the purpose of clearing mines and other obstructions from an area in which it is desired to establish a beachhead; or to fire the main charge to destroy enemy docks and vessels or the like without firing the scuttling charges; or merely to fire the auxiliary charges to sink the vessel for the purpose of preventing it from falling into enemy hands or for the purpose of obstructing the entrance to a harbor;

these operations also being accomplished selectively under remote control of the operator of the transmitter.

This application is a division of our copending application, Serial No. 584,996, filed March 26, 1945.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of control circuits for firing the main charge, for firing the scuttling and main charges in predetermined time spaced relation, or for firing the scuttling charges selectively under remote control of the transmitter, an additional control circuit, also under control of the transmitter, being provided for arming the foregoing circuits and removing an obstruction between the detonator and booster charge associated with the main charge, as the vessel approaches its objective.

Each of the control circuits comprises a rotary timing device having a plurality of cams and contacts adapted to be controlled thereby in a manner to effect positively the arming of the control circuits, firing of the scuttling and main charges in the desired sequence, or firing of the main charge or the scuttling charges, whichever the case may be, and to cut off the ignition to the propelling engine for the vessel simultaneously with the firing of the scuttling charges.

For the reason that radio waves are ineffective to control remotely the operation of devices disposed beneath the surface of a body of water, the aforedescribed firing of the main charge in predetermined time delayed relation to the firing of the scuttling charges is provided under control of one of the rotary timing devices after operation thereof is initiated by remote control. Therefore, to insure that the timing device will cause firing of the main charge only after the vessel has been submerged to a depth beneath the surface of the water at which the desired explosive damage may be effected, the timing device necessarily is designed so as to be well adapted to prevent premature closing of the main charge firing circuit in response to shocks resulting from the explosion of the scuttling charges. Moreover, the timing devices of the several control circuits similarly are designed to prevent spurious operation of the circuits in response to vibration of the vessel incident to operation thereof.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a plurality of control circuits for selectively firing a plurality of scuttling charges and/or main explosive charge of a demolition unit under control of a radio transmitter remotely situated with respect to the unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of control circuits for a self-propelled demolition unit in which one of the circuits may be employed to arm the other circuits as the unit approaches its objective and in which the scuttling and main charges may be fired independently of each other or in predetermined time spaced relation selectively under control of the other of said circuits.

Another object is the provision of an arming control circuit for a remotely controlled demolition unit in which means under control of the arming circuit are employed to remove an obstruction between the detonator and booster charge associated with the main charge.

Another object resides in the provision of a control circuit for a self-propelled demolition unit having a plurality of scuttling charges in which a timing means is employed to fire the scuttling charges and to disable the propelling means of the unit simultaneously.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of new and improved rotary timing and circuit closing means adapted to avoid premature or accidental closure of circuits controlled thereby in response to shocks resulting from explosion or vibration received from associated apparatus.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention not specifically set forth hereinabove are those implied from or inherent in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will become more clearly apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view ilustrating the arrangement of the several parts comprising a demolition vessel or unit suitable for use with the control circuits of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a rotary timing device employed in the control circuits of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the rotary timing device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the rotary timing device as seen along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the timing device taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view in elevation of one of the cam members employed in each of the timing devices;

.. and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical system suitable for use with the demolition unit of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the numeral 10 generally designates a vessel suitable for use as a self-propelled demolition unit, the vessel having an internal combustion engine 11 for driving the usual propeller 12 of the vessel. Operation of the engine is under control of a radio receiver 13 which in turn is automatically controlled by a radio transmitter (not shown), remotely situated with respect to the vessel, the receiver being adapted to regulate automatically the speed control 14 of the engine at the will of the transmitter operator. The radio receiver also is adapted automatically to operate a gyro steering control 15 which in turn is arranged to control the usual rudder 16 of the vessel, thereby to direct the vessel in a desired path of travel also at the will of the operator of the radio transmitter. The radio receiver further is adapted, as will appear more fully hereinafter, automatically to operate an explosive control 17 including a plurality of timing control circuits for firing selectively a plurality of scuttling charges 18 which are disposed in various positions about the vessel such as most advantageously to cause scuttling or sinking of the vessel when the charges are fired and, simultaneously, for interrupting the engine ignition circuit, thereby to disable the propelling mechanism of the vessel, and/ or to fire a main charge 19 adapted to destroy the vessel and all other deterrents to military operations in the vicinity of the vessel when the main charge is fired.

Referring now to Figs. 2 through 7 in which a rotary timing device employed in each of the aforementioned control circuits is disclosed, it will be seen that the timing unit comprises a base 21 upon which a uni-directional motor 22 of any type suitable for the purpose is mounted as by a support 23 in any convenient manner. The motor is preferably of a type in which an armature is caused to rotate in the field of a permanent magnet when current is supplied to the armature by way of brushes to which conductors may be secured in the usual manner. The motor is arranged to drive a gear reduction unit 24 preferably through a flexible coupling 25 adapted to take up any misalignment of the shafts 26 and 27 of the motor and reduction unit respectively, the reduction unit also being supported on the base 21 in any convenient manner. A pinion 28 carried by the output shaft (not shown) of the reduction unit 24 drives a gear 29 secured for rotation with a countershaft 31 which is mounted for rotation in a suitable bracket or support 32 having upstanding spaced portions 33 for supporting the shaft 31 at the ends thereof. The remaining portion of the support 32 preferably is boxshaped to provide a rigid structure for the support of a pair of switch banks 34 and 35, to be described in greater detail hereinafter. Support 32 conveniently may be secured to the base as by a plurality of screws 36.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that switch bank, or contact bank 34 comprises a pair of contact springs 37 and 38 and a plurality of insulation spacers 39 which are secured to the support 32 by a pair of screws 41, the insulation spacers or strips serving to insulate the contact springs 37 and 38 from each other and from the screws 41 and support 32. Contact springs 37 and 38 comprise terminal strips 42 and 43 respectively to which suitable conductors may be secured and further comprise upwardly extending spring portions which terminate in contacts 44 and 45 respectively, the spring portions serving to urge the contacts yieldably into engagement with each other. The contacts normally are disengaged from each other however, by means of a segmented annular cam 46 which is interposed between contact springs 37 and 38. Cam 46 preferably is formed integrally with and disposed about the periphery of a hub 47, these parts comprising a cam member generally designated 48 and preferably formed of any suitable insulating material. Cam 48 is fixed to or suitably formed with a sleeve member 49 having an enlarged shoulder 51 for cooperation with a clamping member 52 which is adapted to be secured to the shoulder 51 by screws 53 in a manner to clamp the sleeve member 49 to the shaft 31 so as to provide angular adjustments of the cam member 48 with respect to the shaft, thereby to space the open portion of cam 46 with respect to contact springs 37 and 38 whereby engagement of the contact springs as the open portion of the cam moves into alignment therewith may be delayed for predetermined intervals of time after operation of motor 22 is initiated. For this purpose the arrangement of motor 22 and gear reduction 24 is such that the motor is caused to make a relatively great number of revolutions to'move the cam 46 through one revolution whereby a suitable interval of time is required to rotate the cam through one revolution. The arrangement of the driving connections between the motor 22 and the shaft 31 is such as to cause cam 46 to move in the direction of arrow 54, Fig. 5, the leading end of cam 46 being formed to a knife edge at 55 to facilitate disengagement of contact springs 37 and 38 in the event that it is desired to rotate the cam through more than one revolution.

From the aforedescribed arrangement of contact springs 37 and 38 and the associated cam 46 therefor in which the cam is interposed between the contact springs except when the open portion of the cam moves into alignment with the springs, it should now be apparent that an arrangement has been provided whereby disengagement of the contacts is positively maintained except at such time as closure thereof is desired. Accordingly, the arrangement is well adapted to prevent premature or accidental closing of the contacts in response to sudden shocks or vibration.

Switch or contact bank 35 similarly comprises contact springs 56 through 59 and a plurality of insulating spacers 61 and suitable backstop elements 62 which are adapted to be secured to the support 32 in stacked relation thereon, substantially as shown, by means of screws 63, contact elements 56 and 59 having suitable terminal strips 64 through 67 respectively, to which conductors may be secured in the usual manner. Contact spring 59 carries a follower element 68 for engagement with a peripheral cam 69, element 68 normally being seated within the notched portion 71 of cam 69 and adapted to be moved out of the notched portion as the cam rotates, thereby causing contact spring 59 to move into engagement with contact spring which in turn causes contact spring 57 to close contact spring 56 by way of transfer element '72 interposed between contact springs 57 and 58.

Cam 69 preferably is formed integrally with a hub portion 73, these parts comprising a cam member generally designated 74 and formed of any insulating material suitable for the purpose. Cain member 74 is adjustably secured to shaft 31 by means of a clamping arrangement '75 which may be identical to the clamping arrangement including parts 49 through 53 employed with cam member 48 whereby the notched portion '71 of cam member 74 may be adjusted with respect to follower 68 in order to place the follower in seated relation within the notch. A spacer member 70 preferably is secured to shaft 31 between cam members 48 and 74 thereon for the purpose of preventing axial displacement of the cams with respect to the contact banks individual thereto in response to shock or vibration received from apparatus associated therewith.

Referring now to Fig. 8 in which the electrical system for the demolition vessel 10 is disclosed, it will be seen that the radio receiver 13 comprises a pair of input ter' minals 76 and 77 of which terminal 77 is grounded and terminal 76 is connected to a suitable antenna 73. The radio receiver includes suitable mechanism adapted to be controlled by signals received from the radio transmitter in response to the operation of various controls thereof, thereby to apply potential selectively between a grounded terminal 79 and any one of terminals 31 through 84 at the output end of the radio receiver.

As the demolition unit approaches its objective, the radio transmitter is operated to apply potential between terminals 79 and 81 of the radio receiver to initiate operation of the arming control circuit, generally designated A, of the unit. This is accomplished by operating relay 85 of the arming circuit by way of terminal 81, conductor 86, the winding of relay 85, and thence to ground potential at terminal 79. As the relay 85 is operated, potential from battery 87 is applied to the armature of motor 22 of the aiming control circuit by way of battery 87, conductor 88, armature 89 and make contact of relay 85', armature 91 and break contact of relay 92, armature of motor 22, and thence by way of ground potential to the opposite side of battery 87. As motor 22 operates, a locking circuit therefor is completed from battery 93 by way of contact springs 56 and 57 of switch bank 35 of arming circuit A, conductor 94, and thence through the armature of motor 22 to ground potential at the other side of battery 93.

Contact springs 58 and 59 of switch bank 35 of arming circuit A also are closed to apply potential from battery 95 to a solenoid 96 of an arming device generally designated 97 by way of conductor 98, contact springs 53 and 59 of switch bank of arming circuit A, conductor 99, solenoid 96, and thence by way of conductor 101 to the other side of battery 95. As solenoid 96 operates, a spring biased plunger 102 thereof is retracted to release a spring biased obstructing member 103 to permit sufiicient movement of the member to bring a passageway 104 therein into alignment with a passageway interconnecting an electroresponsive detonator 105 and a booster charge 106 for the main charge 19, whereby an operative firing connection is provided between the detonator and booster charge.

When motor 22 of arming circuit A has driven cam 69 through 180, follower 68 of switch bank 35 moves into an additional notch 71A provided on cam 69, thereby to disengage contacts 56 and 57 and interrupt the aforedescribed locking circuit to the motor. The adjustment of cam 46 for the purpose of the arming circuit A is such that the open portion of cam 46 is brought into alignment with contact springs 37 and 38 of switch bank 34 as follower 68 moves into notch 71A on cam 69. As contact springs 37 and 38 close, a circuit is completed from battery 107 for operating relay 92 by way of contact splings 37 and 38, conductor 108, winding of relay 92 and thence to ground potential on the opposite side of battery 107. As relay 92 operates, armature 91 disengages the break contact thereof to interrupt the circuit heretofore traced, for operating the motor 22 of arming circuit A by operation of relay 85 as potential is applied between terminals 79 and 81 of the receiver 14, thereby to prevent inadvertent operation of the arming circuit and resultant disarming of the demolition unit after arming thereof, or to prevent disarming of the unit by enemy operations.

Potential on conductor 108 from battery 107, as will appear in greater detail hereinafter, also is utilized to arm circuits B, C and D whereby these circuits are operated upon initiation of operation thereof by the radio receiver.

Before connecting the aforedescribed arming circuit to the arming device 97 upon assembling the various parts of the demolition system on the vessel 10, various precautionary steps are taken to insure that cam 46 of arming circuit A is not in a position in which the open portion thereof permits closure of contact springs 37 and 38, thereby prematurely to arm control circuits B, C and D, as pointed out hereinabove. In the event that contact springs 37 and 33 are closed at such time, this condition is indicated visually by means of a lamp 109 which is connected in series with battery 107 and contact springs 37 and 38 and, therefore, is lighted when the contacts are closed. In the event that the lamp is lighted, a reset switch 110 is provided for initiating operation of motor 22 of arming circuit A to drive cams 46 and 69 thereof through 180 to place the arming control circuit A in an unarmed condition. This is accomplished by applying potential of battery 107 to the motor by way of contact springs 37 and 38, conductor 108, switch 110, armature of motor 22, and thence to ground potential at the other side of battery 107, this circuit being interrupted as contact springs 37 and 38 become disengaged and further movement of the motor being provided by means of the locking circuit therefor, heretofore traced.

If it is desired to fire the scuttling charges and main charge in sequence when the demolition unit has reached its objective, a control is operated at the radio transmitter which causes potential to be applied between terminals 79 and 83 of the radio receiver, thereby to operate relay 111 of the scuttling and main control circuit B by way of terminal 83, conductor 112, and thence by way of winding of relay 111 to ground potential at terminal 79. As relay 111 operates, potential from battery 107 is applied to motor 22 of control circuit B by way of conductor 108, armature 114 and make contact of relay 111, and thence by way of armature of motor 22 to ground potential at the other side of battery 107. As the operation of this motor is initiated, a locking circuit therefor is completed from battery 115 by way of contact springs 56 and 57 of control circuit B, conductor 116, and thence by way of armature of the motor to ground potential at battery 115, this locking operation being identical with that described in connection with the locking circuit for motor 22 of arming control circuit A. Contact springs 58 and 59 of control circuit B also close to apply potential from battery 115 to motor 22 of the scuttling charge control circuit D by way of contact springs 58 and 59 of circuit B, conductor 117, and thence by way of the armature of motor 22 of control circuit D to the ground potential at the other side of battery 115. As the operation of motor 22 of circuit D is initiated, break contacts 118 and 119 controlled by cam 69 of control circuit D are disengaged to interrupt the ignition circuit to engine 11 of vessel 10, thereby to stop the propulsion of the vessel as it reaches its objective.

Cam 46 of control circuit D is adjusted such that the open portion of the cam moves into alignment with contact springs 37 and 38 associated therewith within a relatively short period of time such, for example, as 5 seconds, thereby to close the contacts and apply potential from battery 121 to the electroresponsive detonators 122 associated with the scuttling charges by way of contact springs 37 and 38 of circuit D, conductor 123, detonators 122 in parallel and thence by way of conductor 124 to the other side of battery 121. As the detonators 122 are fired, the scuttling charges are fired in turn, thereby to scuttle the vessel. Within a relatively long period of time thereafter, sufificient to provide for the sinking of the vessel to a suitable depth of submergence within the water, such, for example, as seconds, the open portion of cam 46 of control circuit B moves into alignment with contact springs 37 and 38 associated therewith, thereby to close the contacts and apply potential from battery 107 to detonator associated with the main charge 19 by way of conductor 108, contact springs 37 and 38 of circuit B, conductor 125, and thence by way of detonator 105 to ground potential at the other side of battery 107. As detonator 105 is fired, booster charge 106 and the main charge 119 are fired in sequence, thereby to destroy the vessel and to clear the vicinity thereof of all deterrents to military operations.

if it is desired to destroy an enemy vessel, docks or the like, or to prevent the demolition unit from falling into the hands of the enemy, the main charge may be fired without firing the scuttling charges. This is accomplished by operating a control at the radio transmitter which applies potential between terminals 79 and 82 of the radio receiver 13, thereby to operate relay 126 of the main charge control circuit C by way of terminal 82, conductor 127, and thence by way of the winding of relay 126 to ground potential at terminal 79. As relay 126 operates, a circuit is completed for initiating operation of motor 22 of control circuit C by way of potential of battery 107 on conductor 108, armature 128 and make contact of relay 126, and thence by way of armature of the motor to ground potential at battery 107. As the operation of motor 22 of circuit C is initiated, a locking circuit therefor is completed from battery 129 by way of contact springs 58 and 5'9 of circuit C, and a conductor 131, to the motor thereof in the same manner as accomplished for motors 22 of control circuits A and B.

Cam 46 of control circuit C is adjusted such that the open portion of the cam is moved into alignment with contact springs 37 and 38 associated therewith within a relatively short period of time such, for example, as five seconds, thereby to close these contact springs and complete a circuit from battery 107 to detonator 105 associated with main charge 19 by way of conductor 10S, contact springs 38 and 37 of control circuit C, conductor 125, and thence by way of detonator 105 to the ground potential at battery 107, thus causing the detonator 105 and the main charge thereafter to be fired, as pointed out hereinabove.

If it is desired merely to scuttle the vessel without firing the main charge for the purpose of preventing the vessel from falling into the hands of the enemy or to obstruct the entrance to a harbor, a control is operated at the radio transmitter which causes potential to be applied between terminals 79 and 84 of the radio receiver, thereby to operate relay 132 of control circuit B by way of terminal 84, conductor 133, and thence by way of winding of relay 132 to ground potential at terminal 79. As relay 132 operates. potential on conductor 108 is applied by way of armature 134 and make contact of relay 132 to motor 22 of control circuit D, thereby to initiate the operation of the motor. As operation of the motor is initiated. a locking circuit therefor from battery 135 is established by way of contact springs 56 and 57 of control circuit D and conductor 117 in the same manner as for the motors of control circuits A, B and C. As the operation of the motor is initiated, the ignition circuit for the engine of vessel 10 is interrupted, and within five seconds thereafter, detonators 122 are fired to fire the scuttling charges, as previously described.

It will be obvious that, if desired, a single battery may be employed in place of the several batteries 87, 93, 107, 115, 129 and 135 disclosed for facilitating the description of the control circuits. Battery 121 however, preferably is the vessels battery or a suitable section thereof to insure ample energization of detonators 122 associated with the scuttling charges.

From the foregoing it should now be apparent that a plurality of control circuits and rotary timing means therefor have been provided which are well adapted to fulfill the aforestated objects of the invention. Moreover, while but a single arrangement has been described in particularity for accomplishing selectively the aforedescribed operations of the demolition system, various additional arrangements, circuits and combination of parts suitable for such purpose will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a remotely controlled demolition unit having an explosive charge, the combination of an electroresponsive detonating device for firing said explosive charge, a movable obstructing device interposed between said detonating device and said charge for preventing an operative firing connection therebetween, electroresponsive means for causing movement of said obstructing device sufficient to establish an operative firing connection between said detonating device and said charge, rotary timing means adapted to be set in operation under control of the operator of the unit, means controlled by said timing means for operating said electroresponsive means as operation of the timing means is initiated, and means rendered effective by the timing means within a predetermined period of time after operation thereof is initiated for firing said detonating device under control of the operator of the unit.

2. In a remotely controlled demolition unit having an explosive charge, the combination of an electroresponsive detonating device for firing said explosive charge, a movable obstructing device interposed between said det' onating device and said charge for preventing an operative firing connection therebetween, electroresponsive means for causing movement of said obstructing device sufiicient to establish an operative firing connection between said detonating device and said charge, rotary timing means adapted to be set in operation under control of the operator of the unit, means controlled by said timing means for operating said electroresponsive means as operation of the timing means is initiated, means rendered effective by the timing means within a predetermined period of time after operation thereof is initiated for preventing operation of the timing means under control of the operator of the unit, and means rendered effective by the timing means within a predetermined period of time after operation thereof is initiated for firing said detonating device under control of the operator of the unit.

3. In a remotely controlled demolition unit having an explosive charge adapted to be fired under remote control of an operator, the combination of an electroresponsive detonating device for firing said explosive charge, a. movable obstructing device interposed between said detonating device and said charge for preventing an operative firing connection therebetween, electroresponsive means for causing movement of said obstructing device sufiicient to establish said firing connection, a rotary timing means having a relay adapted to be operated under ,control of said operator for initiating operation of the rotary timing means as the relay operates, means controlled by said timing means for operating said electroresponsive means as operation of the timing means is initiated, means including a relay rendered effective by the timing means within a predetermined period of time after operation thereof is initiated for preventing operation of the timing means under control of said operator, and means rendered effective by the timing means within a predetermined period of time after operation thereof is initiated for firing said detonating device under control of said operator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 693,597 Gardner Feb. 18, 1902 719,405 Wilson Jan. 27, 1903 1,623,475 Hammond Apr. 5, 1927 

